This photo taken by Barrow Journal staff photographer Jessica Brown is a finalist in the Canon/Pro Football Hall of Fame “Why Do You Love Football?” contest. Brown is the daughter of Steve and Brandie Brown.

Jessica Brown of Winder has been named a finalist in the Canon and Pro Football Hall of Fame “Why Do You Love Football?” Amateur Photo Challenge for her photo titled “A Coach’s Nirvana.”

The grand prize winners, which will be announced on Jan. 9, will each earn the once in a lifetime opportunity to have their photo displayed in The Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton, Ohio and a trip for four to Super Bowl XLIV in Miami. In addition, the winners will win a trip for four to the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Celebration in August.

Brown’s photo was taken during a Winder-Barrow High School game during this past season. Brown is the staff photographer for the Barrow Journal.

“It looked like we were going to lose but that changed when one of our players made an interception,” said Brown. “All of a sudden I see one of our players up in the coach’s arms. It was the happiest I’d ever seen Coach Corley.”

“We are extremely proud of Jessica’s latest accomplishment,” said Barrow Journal editor Chris Bridges. “She is a very talented individual and a true asset to this community and Winder-Barrow High School.”

The voting will now be turned over to the fans who will determine the first place winner in each category and ultimately the overall grand prize winners from the pool of finalists by visiting http://canonnflusa.com/photocontest/photoContest.html?id=home and voting for their favorite photos Dec. 21 through Jan. 8. Each fan who casts a vote will be eligible to win a Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera kit.

The judging panel reviewed the more than 10,000 entries and included former NFL quarterback Archie Manning along with some of the world’s top sports photographers including Peter Read Miller from Sports Illustrated, freelance photographer Dave Drapkin, Pulitzer Prize-winning photo editor Stella Kramer, New York Times sports photo editor Brad Smith and Tony Tomsic, a freelance sports photographer who has shot every Super Bowl to-date.

The nationwide contest featured two entry categories, allowing football and photography fans the opportunity to capture the passion and excitement of football by submitting photos of everything from a playful catch in the backyard to any youth, school, or organized football games in both “Action” and “Feature” categories.

This year’s contest was the third year including a teen division, open to fans 13-18. Photo submissions were accepted from September 3 to December 2.

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